Oak and 7th Street Sanctuary Fall Practice Period
October 18th to December 6th, 2025
The Invitation
With pleasure and anticipation I invite you to join Julie Wagner and I for the 2025
Fall Practice Period . The Practice Period is a specific span of time in which
community members are invited and encouraged to intensify their commitment to
Buddhist practice. It is also a time when newcomers are able to experience Zen
teachings through the strength of shared community intention and mutual support.
Although we will primarily participate over Zoom, there will be occasions when some
of us will be able to gather in person: here at Oak Street and at Sellwood Soto Zen.
(Find practice period application below this announcement.)
About Practice Period
Historically, Practice Periods were rainy season retreats for monastics and lay people.
For the last 2,500 years, intensive training periods have been common in many schools
of Buddhism. We, at Oak and 7th Street Sanctuary, and including Sellwood Soto Zen in
Portland continue this tradition..
Each year in the spirit of those in monastic practice, we bring dharma study and
commitment to the foreground of our lives. We focus on everyday activity:
(relationships, work, & regular sitting). Practice Period is also a time of increased
community connection, when we have the opportunity to bear witness to each other’s
lives and our shared experience of living and working together.
Our theme for Fall PP will be Practicing with Ancestors, including all the life forms which
sustain our planet. Our focus will be ecological study and awareness as practice, and
developing a greater appreciation for what surrounds and supports us.
The Shuso
Our Practice Period features a student who serves as Shuso (Head Student), sharing
responsibility and assisting in supporting our Practice. In addition to full participation in
the practice schedule, the Shuso gives several talks and hosts group gatherings.
Our 2025 Fall Practice Period Shuso, Julie Wagner,has been practicing with the
Vietnamese Buddhist Community since 2001, and Oak Street Sangha for many years.
Julie received Lay Ordination in 2007. In 2012,she inherited the leadership of the
English-language Vietnamese Sangha: Hai An Pagoda. Julie has also been studying
and practicing intensely with Joanna Macy and her inspired Work that Connects
retreats.
Participation
There are many ways to engage with our Practice Period. Participants commit to a
schedule which fits their circumstances, attempting to include as many of the sittings,
gatherings and ceremonies as practical. One's involvement should be balanced:
supportive of your practice and others, without being burdensome. During this time you
might choose to add more scheduled periods of zazen to your week or make a
commitment to attend several of the offered retreats and teas. Taking on a new practice
relationship, or meeting more regularly in practice discussion with the teacher would
also be appropriate. The Practice Period will also offer each participant a partner, with
whom we make efforts to maintain contact and a relationship.
Ultimately we each should decide how we might deepen our commitment. Being clear
about this will allow you to receive the benefits of the practice period, rather than
experience it as additional demand or burden. Regardless of how busy you think you
are, I encourage you to join and participate as completely as your life and practice
allow.
All are welcome
We value the flexibility and freshness of the beginner’s mind in Zen practice. If you are
new to Zen (or meditation practice in general) and are looking for a supportive way to
enter Buddhist practice, we invite you to participate.
Practice Period Activities
Opening Ceremony & Retreat
Practice Period starts with the Practice Period Opening
and Shuso Entering Ceremony on Saturday, October 18th, from 8:00 AM to 10 AM
Pacific Time. Our Opening Ceremony will be online
Group Meditation (Zazen)
Our regular morning and evening zazen schedule will
continue over Zoom. Currently we sit together at 5:25 and 6:00 AM, every morning, with
the exception of Saturday. We also sit evenings at 7 PM on Monday, Tuesday and
Thursday evenings (Pacific Time.) There will be introductions to the forms of sitting
Zazen and Zendo practice. All these activities can be accessed through this link: HERE:
Half Day Sitting Retreats
We will have 2 Half Day Sittings over the course of the
Practice Period. Each retreat day includes periods of Zazen and walking meditation. An
invitation and schedule will be distributed prior to each Sitting. The schedule also
includes a Dharma Talk and conversation, noon service, lunch break, and optional
afternoon Study and closing service. All Practice Period members are encouraged to
attend these retreats, which will include key ceremonies and group participation to
support the community and our practice.
Saturday Morning Study Group : This weekly event begins with a short
meditation period at 8 AM Pacific time, followed by reading and discussion. The
primary texts will be announced and distributed in advance. The link will be the
same as our morning and evening sitting. Tentative class dates for the study
group: the last week of October, and four weeks in November, which will include
Julie’s 3rd Dharma talk. The most likely times are Saturday mornings or late
afternoon on Monday or Tuesday, depending on availability and consensus.
Shuso Talks : The Shuso will give three formal talks. The first will be a
traditional Way Seeking Mind Talk . The second and third talks and our study
classes will consider the theme of the Practice Period: Deep Ecology &
Practicing with the Ancestors..
Tea with the Shuso : Participants are invited to attend tea in small groups or
individually with the Shuso, to discuss practice and get to know each other more
informally. Zoom connections will be our primary mode, outside of groups at
One Day Sittings. Dates to be determined.
Practice Partners : A sangha partner is a person with whom you speak on the
phone or in person several times during the Practice Period. Your request for a
specific person will be considered, but partners will be determined by myself
and Shuso.
Closing Retreat & Ceremony : Practice Period ends with a Half Day Sitting and
Shuso Inquiry Ceremony on Saturday, December 6th. This traditional
ceremony allows the Shuso to respond to questions from Practice Period
participants and invited guests, in an exchange known as dharma dialogue.
Bibliography: Julie has suggested a number of collected articles and audio Dharma
talks that can be offered each week for discussion. They include works by Thich Nhat
Hanh, Roshi Joan Halifax, Joanna Macy, Kaira Jewel Lingo, Alisa Dennis, Brother Phap
Xa, Taigen Dan Leighton, Susan Moon, and others. I would also like to encourage
participants to watch the film “Eternal Song” which will be screened for free online on
Nov 5 at 6pm PST
Calendar of Events
● Saturday, October 18th: Practice Period Opening Ceremony:
Zazen, Service and opening ceremony. 8 AM to 10 AM Pacific Time
● Saturday, October 25th Half Day Sitting: and Way Seeking Mind Talk
● Morning Zazen: All mornings except Saturday, starting at: 5:30 or 6 to 7 AM
● Evening Zazen Monday, Tuesday & Thursday Evenings: 7 to 7:30 PM (Pacific)
● Saturday morning 8 to 9:30 AM Sitting and Study Class Discussion..
● November: Tea with the Shuso: On Zoom: times to be confirmed.
● Saturday, November 15th: Half Day Sitting, Including 2nd Shuso Talk
● Saturday December 6th: Half Day Sitting, Inc. Shuso Inquiry & PP Closing
Ceremony
Registration
Once you have decided to participate, please enroll by filling out the Practice Period
Commitment Form (see final page). We ask you to put in writing your intentions and let
us know what activities you plan to attend. By making your commitment explicit, putting it in your calendar and showing up, you are honoring yourself and your commitment to practice. The deadline for joining the Practice Period and submitting your form is Friday, October 13th, 2025. Your timely response will allow Julie and I to consider and determine partners for the Practice Period. Having a partner will allow additional opportunities to share challenges and support each other during our time together. Fee There is a suggested $100 donation for joining the Practice Period. Our sangha is also very pleased to offer up to 50% scholarships for those who would appreciate support.
Our intention is to encourage donations regardless of size.
Please fill out the Practice Period application on the following page and return to me.
Thank you very much,
Peter van der Sterre & Julie Wagner
Oak and 7th Street Zen
www.oakstreetzendo.org